Day 1, Home to The Milbury, Beauworth, nr. Alresford. 14 kms

😂 So we woke up to rain this morning, even though the weather forecast said none! I was slightly questioning my choice of hobby.

Pete dropped me off in the middle of Winchester at about 10. I successfully found the starting plaque and got into a conversation with a couple about the South Downs Way and what I was doing, they took my photo. . I had a slightly wobbly exit from Winchester - towns are so confusing, there were also a load of scouts tripping me up as they got organised to leave for a hike, about 50 of them.

And then out of town, over the M3 and into the mud, lots of puddles and squelchy but with poles not too bad. Although my feet were soon wet and my legs are very muddy, not as muddy as the cyclst I saw, he was covered head to toe, he told me it was very slippery!

It was a bit damp although it gradually eased off and I ate my 2nd breakfast on a conveniently positioned bench (hot cross buns). There were some big views once I was on the ridge. 

I found the tap at Holden Farm, apparantly there are several taps strategically placed along the route and had my lunch there, again in the sun. And then suddenly I arrived at the pub where I am going to camp tonight. I had emailed them and asked if I could camp as none of the camp sites are open and they said yes. So all looking good. Its a very busy pub so will have to wait to find out where to pitch up, hopefully it won't rain😳😳.unfortunately its noidles tonight as the pub doesn't do food. I'm sitting in the sun with a soda and lime. Not sure why I arrived so early, maybe I miscalculated the distance. Tomorrow is about 17kms.